Fire Department Challenge Coins Pay Tribute To Lost Comrades

Most people don’t fully appreciate the dangers firefighters face every time they go out on a call. From traffic accidents to wildfires, building collapses, electrical hazards, toxic gases and even explosions, the list of hazards firefighters face every day is virtually endless. Many departments have an unofficial motto of “Everybody goes home.” The sad fact is that, all too often, not everybody does.

Firefighter Deaths in America

In 2023, the most recent year for which statistics are available, 89 firefighters died in the line of duty. As of February 12, according to the U.S. Fire Administration, a total of eight firefighters have died while on duty so far this year.

The stories that make headlines are the ones involving multiple deaths at a single event. In 2007, a fire in a furniture store and warehouse in Charleston, S.C. took nine lives. The Yarnell Hill wildfire of 2013 in Arizona killed 19 members of an elite wildfire-fighting team.

And lest we forget, the darkest day for the Fire Department of New York was the terrorist attacks of 9/11, when 343 of the city’s finest gave their lives for their fellow citizens.

While such tragedies produce news headlines, most line-of-duty deaths occur one at a time. They can be from stress-related heart attacks while on duty, traffic crashes, building collapses or many other causes; the cause is irrelevant. The fact remains that the individual gives his or her life in the interest of protecting others.

Challenge Coins to Honor Those Lost

Fire department challenge coins have long been a popular way of commemorating department, station and squad events. They have become a favorite way to memorialize and honor fallen comrades as well. 

For example, the Fire Department of New York had custom coins made bearing the number 343 to honor those who gave the last full measure of devotion on 9/11. The incident was the single largest loss of life of any emergency response agency in U.S. history.

Some departments choose to honor their lost members by issuing fundraising memorial coins. In Comstock Township, Michigan, the department raised money to build a memorial to Comstock Township Fire Chief Edward Switalski, who was struck and killed by a car while working an accident scene near Kalamazoo on June 14, 2017. 

The coin design featured the Comstock department’s shield on one side, and a 3D image of Switalski, in his turnout coat and helmet on the reverse. In November, 2024, the township dedicated a bronze statue of Chief Switalski as the department commemorated its 100th anniversary. The memorial was funded entirely by donations from the public and sales of coins and other items.

Creating Memorial Coins

Creating a firefighter memorial coin starts with the background. Most U.S. fire department logos feature a Cross of St. Florian, the patron saint of firefighters. the coin.

St. Florian’s Sacrifice

St. Florian was born in 250 A.D., in the part of ancient Rome that is now Austria. As a young man, he joined the Roman army, and steadily advanced through the ranks, gaining a reputation as a problem solver.

Florian soon organized an elite group of soldiers whose sole duty was to fight fires. He reportedly once stopped a fire with nothing more than a pitcher full of water. For that reason, he is often depicted holding a pitcher, and is also considered the patron saint of brewers.

Roman emperor Diocletian ordered that Florian, as part of his official administrative duties, persecute Christians in his region. Florian refused to do so, declaring his own Christianity. When ordered to offer sacrifice to the polytheistic Roman gods, Florian refused to do so, and was sentenced to be burned at the stake.

As he awaited his fate, Florian challenged the Roman soldiers to light the fire, reportedly telling them, “If you do, I will climb to heaven on the flames.”

Rather than lighting the fire, the soldiers, fearful of Florian’s proclamation, instead tied a millstone around his neck and threw him into a river to drown. For his resistance to death by fire, Florian became the patron saint of firefighters worldwide.

Honoring the Fallen

St. Florian’s Cross, or an image of Florian himself, is a natural place to start crafting a memorial coin. Include the fallen member’s name and any other text or images that were significant to him or her. Whatever is meaningful to your department and its members is appropriate for memorial coins. You’ll find more information about designing custom coins on our Design page.

Choosing a Memorial Coin Provider

Memorial coins for first responders of all kinds carry a special meaning beyond the ordinary challenge coins. They are both an expression of grief and a celebration of the fallen member’s life. It’s important to choose the right coin provider, one that understands the bond between firefighters and honors the dedication and sacrifice of all who put their lives at risk to protect their fellow citizens.

At ChallengeCoins4Less.com, we get it. We understand the responsibility we have to create coins that reflect the bravery of the selfless men and women who perish while rescuing others. We have had the privilege of creating challenge coins of all kinds for fire departments around the world for 20 years. 

Our experienced team will work with you every step of the way to ensure your memorial coins look exactly the way you want them to. From coin size and shape to colors and design elements, we’ll help you craft the perfect tribute to your department’s lost members.

We back up everything we sell with our 100% Satisfaction Guarantee. We never forget the reasons for the coins we create, and the people behind them. That’s why we’re committed to outstanding customer service. We know how important memorial coins can be.

When you want to order firefighter memorial coins or any other style of custom challenge coins for your department, squad or station, we’re ready to serve. Call us toll free at (855) 272-8451, email us at [email protected], or fill out our no obligation free quote form. To all firefighters everywhere, thank you for what you do. We look forward to serving all your custom challenge coin needs.